Money changers duped

A 30-YEAR-OLD Chipinge-based illegal forex dealer was last week dragged to court as she was accused of duping her colleagues of R165 200 in a botched deal.

Winnie Taruvinga of Medium Density area of Chipinge allegedly duped five forex dealers after misrepresenting to them that she wanted South African rands in exchange of United States dollars.

Taruvinga was not asked to plead when she appeared before Chipinge magistrate, Mr Alfred Chinembiri.

She was facing fraud charges and was remanded out of custody to November 3 on ZWL20 000 bail.

Prosecuting, Mr Edmore Mahlanganise said between September 28 to October 8,

Taruvinga collected a total of R165 200 from five forex dealers and did not return it.

“On October 4, Taruvinga approached Eunice Samupindi of Mist View and told her that she had found someone who wanted US dollars in exchange of rands.

“Samupindi complied and gave her R40 000. After about 30 minutes, Taruvinga returned and told Samupindi that she wanted another R30 000, which she was given.

‘‘She never returned and a total of R70 000 was stolen from Samupindi,” he said.

Mr Mahlanganise said on September 28, Taruvinga went to another forex dealer, Yvonne Nyakureba, and duped her of R30 000.

“On September 28, Taruvinga approached Yvonne Nyakureba’s workplace and told her that she wanted R50 000 in exchange of US dollars.

“The two agreed that the money would be returned with a five percent USD interest. However, Taruvinga only managed to return R30 000 and R20 000 remains outstanding,” said Mr Mahlanganise.

Mr Mahlanganise added that Taruvinga went on to dupe three more forex dealers using the same way.

“Taruvinga went on to dupe Mirriam Muziyi, Tsitsi Mutsara and Irene Samupindi of R33 000, R25 000 and R7 200 respectively,” said Mr Mahlanganise.

He said the five made separate police reports, thereby leading to Taruvinga’s arrest.